Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 12: Activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a fierce protest and laid siege to the administrative block of Mangalore University on Friday, demanding the immediate resignation of the vice-chancellor over persistent infrastructure deficiencies and alleged financial mismanagement. The protesting students were eventually detained by the Konaje police and later released.
Addressing the gathering, ABVP state joint secretary Sujith slammed the university authorities for ignoring the plight of the students despite multiple representations. "The vice-chancellor, who sits comfortably in an air-conditioned room, will now face the heat of the students. We have data on every irregularity. Our struggle is peaceful yet uncompromising, and we will not back down until we get a permanent solution," he stated, presenting a 9-point charter of immediate demands.
Lack of basic amenities and alleged corruption
Sujith pointed out that while the five-decade-old university has a glorious history of producing eminent global scholars, it currently lacks basic amenities, to the extent that there are no drinking water filters on the floors. He alleged that massive irregularities have taken place over the past 10 years without any official facing punishment. "The money collected from students has been splurged on international hostels, solar panels, and CCTV cameras instead of core educational requirements, purely to fill the pockets of corrupt officials," he charged.
The protestors highlighted that science laboratories lack essential chemicals, and when questioned, the administration gives excuses regarding declining student admissions and fee revenue. They revealed that Rs 15 lac worth of chemicals was procured only after a protest warning was issued. Furthermore, they complained that the university charges Rs 3,650 for internships and Rs 750 per semester for marks cards, yet only a single consolidated sheet is provided at the end. The MBA department lacks a proper laboratory despite collecting fees, forcing 10 students to share a single computer due to a shortage. Sujith added that a similar protest held a year ago on November 15, 2025, yielded no results, leaving them with no choice but to demand the vice-chancellor's exit.
Heated exchange with the vice-chancellor
A heated argument broke out when the vice-chancellor emerged to confront the students. Activists expressed outrage that water bottles were easily available in the vice-chancellor's cabin while 300 protesting students were left without drinking water. Tempers flared further when the vice-chancellor remarked that there was a shortage of funds in the system and students needed to manage, prompting a furious response from the crowd that the entire university, including the salaries of guest faculty, runs on student fees.
Defending his position, the vice-chancellor stated that the state government had not been responding to daily correspondence. However, he claimed that the administration is utilizing Rs 20 crore received from the government to systematically upgrade facilities and clear bills properly to avoid past scam allegations. He clarified that items cannot be purchased instantly as they require clearances from the building and purchase committees. He added that an order for 200 computers has already been placed, Rs 15 lac worth of chemicals arrived in the first week of May, and three major projects are currently underway. He maintained that the available student funds are being managed carefully for essential maintenance, patchworks, and hostel expenses.
Unsatisfied with the assurances, the students attempted to continue their agitation, following which the Konaje police detained them. Konaje city secretary Manu, university student union office-bearers Nihar, Shreesha, Apeksha, Kesari, Yashwin, and others were present during the protest.